Permanent marker stains will vanish in seconds with £2.50 trick

Next time you discover stubborn permanent marker stains on your walls, don't panic - just reach for your first aid kit.

Permanent markers are fantastic for jotting down crucial notes on surfaces where regular pens fail to make a mark, such as plastic food containers or cardboard boxes.

However, as their name suggests, they can turn into a nightmare if they're used on the wrong surface. For with young children, this problem can escalate quickly, as you might figure out if your little one decides to skillfully redecorate the walls and countertops.

But there's no need to fret - there is a way to up these marks. Despite their name, permanent markers aren't truly everlasting, and the solution might be hiding in your first aid kit.

In a post, a distressed mum sought advice after her child had doodled on their kitchen counter with a marker pen. She was desperate to remove it as they were in the process of selling their house and didn't want potential buyers to see a kitchen covered in dark blue scribbles.

Cleaning enthusiasts were quick to offer a solution, suggesting she try using rubbing alcohol to eliminate the marks.

Rubbing alcohol, also known as surgical spirit, is typically used as a skin disinfectant and antiseptic, making it a common item in first aid kits. This useful product can be purchased online for as little as £2.50, but it's also available in pharmacies such as Boots.

One individual shared: "Rubbing alcohol works! [It's] awesome for ballpoint pen, too. I was at an interview and accidentally put a blue line across my dress pants. A swab of rubbing alcohol later, and it was gone. Small gentle circles. Comes right out."

Some suggested hand sanitiser as a substitute, given its active ingredient is also alcohol, making it a viable option if you don't have any surgical spirit available.

A number of people mentioned that dry-erase markers can be effective in removing permanent markers. This is due to the fact that the ink in these markers contains isopropyl alcohol, the same component found in surgical spirit.

One person advised: "If you have dry-erase markers, you can use that to work it out. It may take two or three coatings, but it does work."

Another added: "Colour over it with dry-erase marker and rub it off immediately! That's what I've done before with permanent marker on dry-erase boards."

Interestingly, one commenter claimed that hairspray can remove permanent marker "every time".

How to remove permanent marker

To eradicate permanent marker stains from non-porous surfaces such as glass, plastic, metal, and countertops, rubbing alcohol or another isopropyl alcohol product is recommended. Simply douse a cotton ball, paper towel, or cloth in the alcohol and gently scrub the marked area until the stain vanishes.

Rubbing alcohol can also be utilised on fabrics like clothing or upholstery. Ideally, place an absorbent material like paper towels beneath the fabric where possible, then dab - don't rub - the alcohol on the stained area until it lightens. Once done, you can proceed to wash the fabric as usual.

For skin marks, rubbing alcohol can be applied in gentle circular motions. Alternatively, baby oil or coconut oil can be used to remove the marks, while a concoction of toothpaste and baking soda can also prove effective.

If your little one has decorated the walls with a permanent marker, your best solution is baking soda. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to the affected areas. Gently rub it with a cloth or sponge, and wipe clean once finished.